Hyperpigmentation Treatment
The most important point in planning the hyperpigmentation treatment is to determine the type of pigmentation. Different treatment methods and follow-up should be planned for different types of pigment increase.
What are the Most Common Causes of Hyperpigmentation?
- Freckle: It is usually observed in fair-skinned people and may start in childhood or late infancy after exposure to the sun. The color darkens in summer months. They are light brown-red color changes with clear borders, tiny, not raised from the skin. It can be seen on the face, back, shoulders and lips. IPL/BBL treatments are generally preferred for treatment due to the advantage of fast recovery time.
- Solar Lentigo: It develops after years of continuous or intermittent intense ultraviolet exposure. It is usually associated with skin aging. There are light or dark brown color changes that are larger than freckles and tend to merge with each other. It is frequently observed on the face and hands. Q-switch NDYAG laser, IPL/BBL, fractional laser or chemical peeling treatments are generally preferred for treatment.
- Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: It develops due to an increase in the “melanin” pigment that gives color to the skin during healing after inflammation, inflammation or trauma. It is observed as scattered, light-dark brown, grayish areas of darkening with unclear borders. It can be seen frequently after acne, drug reaction, wound healing and burns. It is more difficult to treat in darker skinned people. Depigmentation medications, chemical peels, brightening mesotherapies, Q switch NDYAG laser treatments are frequently preferred in its treatment.
- Melazma: It is a skin disease that is usually seen in women and is known among the public as the pregnancy mask. It can develop due to ultraviolet, pregnancy, birth control pills, hormonal diseases, some treatments and medications. There is usually a genetic predisposition and family history. It is observed as irregularly bordered, scattered, brown-gray color increase areas. Wood’s light examination performed during the examination gives an idea about the level of melasma.
How is Skin Examination Performed?
During your dermatology examination, your skin is examined with Wood light and dermoscopy device, skin samples are taken for diagnostic purposes, and some blood tests may be requested when necessary. After the diagnosis of your hyperpigmentation, your physician;
How Is Hyperpigmentation Treated?
What are the Rare Causes of Hyperpigmentation?
Less frequently; lichen planus pigmentosus, drug-induced hyperpigmentation, macular amyloidosis, Riehl’s melanosis, erythema dyschronicum perstans, mastositosis, ota nevus, mycosis fungoides, dyskeratosis congenita, Dowling-Degos, incontinence pigment may also cause dark discoloration of the skin.
In addition, conditions such as B12 and folic acid deficiency, Addison’s disease, hyperthyroidism, insulin resistance can also cause regional or diffuse, dark discoloration of the skin.
Is Laser Treatment a Definitive Solution?
For many types of spots, it is not possible to claim a “definitive solution” for laser or other treatment methods. Unfortunately, there is a risk of recurrence of hyperpigmentation as long as the cells that give color to the skin continue to exist. The aim of the treatment is to reduce the prominence of the pigment as much as possible and then try to prevent its recurrence.
Sun protection must be continued after all treatments.
